Doha – Saeed Al Kuwari, Executive Director of the “Haya” platform, revealed that there are no “special visas” for the Asian Cup, as was the case in the Qatar World Cup 2022, stressing that the “Haya” platform offers 5 tourist visas, and those wishing to attend the Asian Cup Qatar or any event organized by the state must He must apply for one of these visas and he will receive approval within just 48 hours.
Al-Kuwari confirmed – in an interview with Al Jazeera Net – that there are no requirements for applying for tourist visas on the “Haya” platform to attend the Asian Cup or any other events, and that what was rumored about the necessity of the fan having a match attendance card as a condition for obtaining a “Haya” visa is incorrect, indicating in At the same time, the approval rate for granting a visa through the “Haya” platform reaches 100% if the documents are correct and clear.
Regarding the illegal sale of the “Haya” card, Al-Kuwari explained that the misuse of the card by individuals or tourism companies that sell fake visas to people is monitored by the relevant authorities in Qatar, and these cases are discovered and legal measures are taken against them, but this will not lead to preventing the service from being available. People who use it correctly and legally, pointing out that most uses of the “Haya” platform service for adding relatives and friends are positive, and through it everyone was able to bring their family and friends to visit Doha and enjoy its activities.
In an attempt to understand the importance of the “Haya” platform, the difference between it and the “Haya” card, and the services that the platform provides to fans of the Asian Cup and to all those wishing to visit the State of Qatar to attend all the events there, Al Jazeera Net conducted a special interview with Al-Kuwari.
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How did the “Haya” platform help people from all over the world visit Qatar?
“Haya”, the first platform that provides tourist visa services in Qatar, is also known for events in the country and provides several services to visitors and those in charge of events, whether sporting or other events. The main goal of the “Haya” platform is to promote tourism in Qatar and facilitate visitors’ access to it, and to help events organizers attract new tourists and visitors, and to provide quality services such as obtaining security permits if there is an event that requires it. There is also a special platform for media professionals, “Haya Media.” It is a platform whose mission is to facilitate the work of media professionals coming to the country to cover events. In the past, any media person needed a permit from a number of parties, but now it is in one application. In addition to entry visas, event information, and ticket sales, there are more than 18 services on “Haya” that have encouraged visitors from all over the world to visit Qatar, and have also helped institutions in Qatar manage high-quality events.
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How did the “Haya” card develop into a global platform that includes many visas and services?
The starting point for the “Haya” platform was the Qatar World Cup 2022, and its idea was that it is a platform that provides all services to the fan in the World Cup tournament, and the services that the fan in the State of Qatar needs during the events, the most important of which is the entry visa to the country and the stadiums, in addition to activating the services on the “Haya” application. Which concerns information, alerts, transportation, and tourist places. The platform met with great success during the tournament, and after the end of the World Cup, directives came to continue this platform so that it serves the visitor and tourism events in the country. Therefore, the first step in transforming the platform is to activate tourist visas for visitors, whether for sports, cultural or Any other event, and there is no longer a name for a “fan card.”
We also launched 5 types of visas on the “Haya” platform:
- Tourist visa.
- Event visa.
- A visa for all residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for all their jobs, without any exception, only on the condition of valid residency in one of the Gulf countries.
- Electronic Travel Notification (ETA) visa is for holders of Schengen country residences.
- Visa for companions of Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
This means that the fan visa during the Qatar World Cup has become 4 tourist visas, and from one sporting event to all events in the country, we have established one umbrella for all tourism services.
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Is there a special visa for the Asian Cup Qatar and what services are provided to fans of the tournament?
There are no special visas for the Asian Cup or a specific visa for the tournament. Rather, there are 5 visas, as we explained previously. If the fan wishes to attend the Asian Cup, he must apply for one of these visas to attend the tournament, and all events in the country. Therefore, it is not exclusive to the tournament.
As for the services that the platform provides to the fans of the Asian Cup, they are numerous and we provide them to all visitors to Qatar, such as:
- Security audit service for security permits
- Media platform service for media professionals wishing to cover the Asian Cup
- Public alerts service
- Serving important guests
- A set of procedures to facilitate the public and organizers.
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Is obtaining a “Haya” visa linked to the availability of a ticket to attend the Asian Cup matches?
These are rumours. There are no requirements for applying for visas on the “Haya” platform. Whether you have a ticket to attend the Asian Cup matches or not, you can apply for visas on the “Haya” platform, and accepting visas does not require more than 48 hours. Many people from all over the world want to come to Qatar at this time to watch the events accompanying the Asian Cup, and there are other events at this time other than the tournament, such as “Expo Qatar”, fan events related to the Asian Championship, and various winter events, so why restrict the visa? Only for match ticket holders? “Visas are open to everyone without any requirements.”
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What is the visa approval rate from the “Haya platform”?
If the documents are correct and clear, the passport is clear, and the information listed is correct, the visa approval rate will approach 100%, God willing.
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What is your comment on some people selling Haya cards?
Whoever sells the “Haya” card means that he is misusing the services provided by the state, and there are tourism companies around the world that use these procedures that violate the law, and provide false visas to people, and it is difficult to control this matter externally, and we are aware of this issue, but we do not want to because This illegal procedure is to prevent this service from the public who use it properly. In addition, the Ministry of Interior is confronting this matter, discovering these cases and taking legal measures against violators. We confirm that most uses of the “Haya” platform for adding relatives and friends are legal and correct, and everyone was happy with it and through it they were able to bring their families and friends to visit Doha and enjoy the tournaments and events there.
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What are the reasons for extending the Haya Card visa?
The “Haya” visa was extended due to the fans’ commitment to the rules and conditions of fan visas, and because of the success of the 2022 World Cup and the excellence of the “Haya” platform, the authorities concerned with extending the visa decided that people who came and enjoyed the World Cup would be able to return to Qatar and enjoy its events, such as “Expo 2023.” And the World Swimming Championships and the Asian Cup, and for this reason I extended the visa until next February 24, so all visitors and fans can come to the country and enjoy the events with the same “Haya” visa for the fan in the 2022 World Cup.
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What is Haya’s role in supporting the tourism sector?
Since the establishment of the “Haya” card until 2023, the number of visitors to the State of Qatar has reached 4 million visitors, and therefore the platform has greatly enhanced the tourism sector in the country, in addition to the support and services that we provided to the entities that organize and manage events, and this support has increased the quality of activities and events, in addition to the advantage Facilitating the entry of visitors, which encouraged people to visit Qatar, and had a strong tourism impact on the country.
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What new services has the “Haya” platform offered to serve the public and visitors to Qatar?
We recently provided a distinguished service, which is the “pre-registration service” at the Abu Samra border crossing with Saudi Arabia. Previously, there were specific procedures for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries to enter Qatar through the port, which are:
- visa,
- Vehicle insurance payment
- Inspection and passport procedures
But now the “Haya” platform has provided a service through which you can submit the application electronically for all these procedures before arriving at the Abu Samra port, and use a special path for “Haya” upon arrival, where the information is verified and then enter Qatar directly without the previous procedures.
All of these services provided by the “Haya Platform” require advanced technical support centers, including: the support center at Hamad International Airport at the arrival hall, which those coming to the country can visit if they encounter any problem. There is also a “Haya” support center at the Abu Samra port. Wild, and a technical support center for the Asian Cup, and we have a call center that operates 24 hours for any inquiry or service.
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Why do I choose the “Haya” platform visa instead of regular visas?
Let’s talk about the situation without saying “come on”. The State of Qatar provides immediate visas to a number of countries around the world, meaning that the traveler can enter Doha and obtain his visa from the Passports “Department”, but this matter is limited to citizens of specific countries only, in addition to resident visas. In the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, this visa depends on the visitor’s job title.
As for the “Haya” visa, it allows entry to anyone wishing to visit from all over the world without conditions. In addition, the “Haya” visa holder obtains several benefits, such as entering through the electronic gates of Hamad International Airport, enjoying all the services in the “Haya” application, and events in The State of Qatar, information about it, and how to reach event areas, whether sporting or in other areas.
